Planet ISKCON

Gurudev - An Offering To Srila Prabhupada | By the Madhavas | (9 min musical video)
Author: Bhaktivinoda Thakura
The lyrics: gurudev!
kṛpā-bindu diyā, koro’ ei dāse,
tṛṇāpekhā ati hīna
sakala sahane, bala diyā koro’,
nija-māne spṛhā-hīna

(2)
sakale sammāna korite śakati,
deho’ nātha! jathājatha
tabe to’ gāibo, hari-nāma-sukhe,
aparādha ha ‘be hata

(3)
kabe heno kṛpā, labhiyā e jana,
kṛtārtha hoibe, nātha!
śakti-buddhi-hīna, āmi ati dīna,
koro’ more ātma-sātha

(4)
jogyatā-vicāre, kichu nāhi pāi,
tomāra karuṇā-sāra
karuṇā nā hoile, kāndiyā kāndiyā,
prāṇa nā rākhibo āra

WORD FOR WORD TRANSLATION: Gurudeva! Krpa Bindu Diya

TRANSLATION
1) Gurudeva, O spiritual master! Give to this servant just one drop of mercy. I am lower than a blade of grass. Give me all help. Give me strength. Let me be as you are, without desires or aspirations.

2) I offer you all respects, for thus I may have the energy to know you correctly. Then, by chanting the holy name in great ecstasy, all my offenses will cease.

3) When will such mercy fall to this one who is weak and devoid of intelligence? Allow me to be with you.

4) If you examine me, you will find no qualities. Your mercy is all that I am made of. If you are not merciful unto me, I can only weep, and I will not be able to maintain my life.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/TW84ue

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Talk at University of Panama, Panama

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The post Your enemy is inside you – and so is your friend – with Spanish translation appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Whatever your situation—even if you live far from a Temple–try to be Krishna conscious as best you can, and pray for the mercy of Krishna and his devotees. There will be special benefit during this month. That can be an impetus for us for this month, but the idea is to make our entire life, day after day, month after month, and year after year centered around devotional service so we can offer our whole life to Krishna. Then we will go to a plain where the only activity is Krishna bhakti, performed with love and devotion.

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The post Devavrata of Slovenia asks about the “Vrndavana anti-party” allegations that Srila Prabhupada teaches sahajiyism and mayavada appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

The Talavan Forest (6 min video)
Indradyumna Swami: Talavan is one of the 12 sacred forests of Sri Vrindavan Dham in India. Even today, it retains much of the beauty it had 5,000 years ago during the appearance of Lord Sri Krsna. Our parikrama party sat and discussed Krsna and Balarama’s pastimes in that transcendental abode and relished the sweet chanting of Krsna’s holy names for many hours.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/mNiUJx

Initiation ceremony in Prabhupada-desh, Venice, Italy (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: In this age, it is more important t...

In humility, appreciation and awe for Sri Nathji Prabhu.
Rasaraja dasa: I am truly saddened to hear of the sudden departure of Sri Nathji Prabhu. He was a stalwart devotee and an example for all devotees on many fronts. A most respectable grihastha Vaishnava, a tireless preacher, not only in the temple but even in his own professional circles, where he made many working persons coming in touch with him for business reasons into devotees.

By Ranjita Dasa

Prabhupada: There was advertisement. So I went to Long Island. That two machines... I asked, "What is the price?" "$150 each." Then he wanted to take away the machines. Machine was all right. And then I told him that "I have got $150 only. If you want to give us, give those two machines." So "All right, you take these all." (laughter) So I gave him $150, whatever I had, and I took the machine. In that machine was printed Back to Godhead. So five hundred copies... How many copies you were selling? Tamala Krsna: Well, by the time we were selling, you were printing about three thousand, and we were selling twenty-five hundred. Prabhupada: Oh, yes. Then I asked Brahmananda that "Why not print it nicely?" So he said that "Unless we print twenty thousand, nobody will take this work." And "All right, order twenty thousand." Now, from twenty thousand or five hundred, what is the quantity now we are printing? Continue reading "Srila Prabhupada discusses the early days of Back to Godhead Magazine in the US
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By Chaitanya Charana Dasa

Srila Prabhupada has expressed his fond dream for BTG: “As I have told you several times, I am awaiting for the day when this paper will take the shape of Life magazine or similar other magazines in the matter of its popularity.” (Letter dated June 1968) The popularity of BTG depends on many factors: for example, the reach and appeal of our movement; the magnitude of the efforts to distribute BTG; the format, feel, and cost of the issues. But the most important factor, the factor I can influence, is its core content—the quality of its articles. The only way I can improve the quality of my articles is by improving the quality of my writing. Continue reading "Writing for Krishna: The Price and the Prize
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By Gargamuni Dasa

In a Back to Godhead we’d have twenty to thirty pages in those days, which means if we printed 500 copies, which was the normal run, we’d print 500 copies, I’d have to spread out twenty to thirty pages of 500 copies. When it was all printed, then I would have to collate them by hand and then stack them up and then put on the cover, which was a color offset. We’d use every month or every two weeks, every month, a different color – yellow, green, blue, like that – to show that it was a different issue. Then we’d have the cover offsetted, and then Rayarama would make a special stencil to print on top of that. And then we would print something special on the mimeograph…on the stencil, what articles were inside and what the date was, the date of the magazine. So, therefore, we could keep using the… We only had four colors – yellow, green, and blue, and used them every other…so we’d have different color issues. I can remember the first one was blue, the second was yellow, and the third was green. Then we went back again to blue, yellow, and green. Continue reading "Back to Godhead 1966: Gargamuni Dasa Remembers
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By Ranjita Dasa

On this day in 1966, Srila Prabhupada's Diary records: "Back to Godhead published again today." On the same day, it records that Gargamuni Dasa was initiated. Gargamuni Prabhu's account of the beginning of the magazine at 26 Second Avenue is presented in this week's keynote article. His story is a unique personal glimpse into the mood and happenings of the time. For an insight into writing for Back to Godhead, we are presenting an article by Chaitanya Carana Prabhu entitled "Writing for Krishna," which first appeared in the January/February 2014 issue of Back to Godhead. Continue reading "Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the First Publication of Back to Godhead Magazine in the West
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Living Together in the Early Days 

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Please find below recordings of lectures and kirtans by Kadamba Kanana Swami captured during September. 

Download ALL (zip file, 1.3 GB)

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Durban 

KKS_DBN_30September2016_YouthProgram_Short_Lecture

KKS_DBN_30September2016_YouthProgram_Kirtan

KKS_DBN_29September2016_HouseProgram_Kirtan

KKS_DBN_27September2016_Lecture_SB_2.4.19

KKS_DBN_27September2016_CC_BookClub

KKS_DBN_25September2016_NJP_KirtanFestival

KKS_DBN_25September2016_SundayFeast_PMB_Lecture

KKS_DBN_25September2016_SundayFeast_PMB_Kirtan

KKS_DBN_20September2016_CC_BookClub

KKS_DBN_16September2016_Kendra_NamaHatta_Lecture

KKS_DBN_16September2016_Kendra_NamaHatta_Kirtan

KKS_DBN_11September2016_SundayFeast_Lecture

KKS_DBN_11September2016_SundayFeast_JayaRadhaMadhava

KKS_DBN_09September2016_Radhastami_Lecture_Evening

KKS_DBN_09September2016_Radhastami_Lecture_Midday

 

Cape Town 

KKS_CPT_07September2016_Lecture_SB_1.9.26

KKS_CPT_06September2016_HouseProgram_Lecture

KKS_CPT_06September2016_HouseProgram_Kirtan

KKS_CPT_06September2016_Lecture_SB_1.9.26

KKS_CPT_04September2016_SundayFeast_Lecture

KKS_CPT_04September2016_SundayFeast_Kirtan

KKS_CPT_04September2016_StudentRetreat_Morning_Lecture

KKS_CPT_03September2016_StudentRetreat_Lecture

KKS_CPT_03September2016_StudentRetreat_Kirtan

KKS_CPT_03September2016_Lecture_SB_1.9.25

Sankirtana Yajna ki jaya!
Balabhadra Bhattacarya Dasa: This is a really sweet lady that we met on Harinam last week. She stood ...

By the GBC Executive Committee

His Grace Sri Nathji Prabhu was a Vaisnava of rare caliber indeed, teaching by example the true meaning of selfless devotional service. From his youth, he was in search of a genuine guru. His mother encouraged his interest by bringing him to the feet of the perfect spiritual teacher: His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Although, as Sri Nathji Prabhu himself described, he would utilize his time with Srila Prabhupada to argue in favor of Mayavada philosophy, eventually, he was convinced by Srila Prabhupada's infallible logic that the highest path of worship is to engage in the service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krsna. From that day forward, Sri Nathji Prabhu dedicated mind, body, words, family, wealth, intelligence--everything in his possession--to the service of the Lord and his devotees. It is practically impossible to list the many contributions he has made to ISKCON. Certainly one of his most wonderful contributions is the creation of Sri Sri Radha-Gopinath temple in Mumbai, which has become a beacon of bhakti for tens of thousands of souls. Sri Nathji Prabhu not only gave the land upon which the temple was started, but served as a founding member and provided spiritual, managerial, and financial support throughout the decades. Continue reading "Glorification of Sri Nathji Prabhu From the GBC Executive Committee
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By Ranjit das

Due to his exemplary example, Back to Godhead magazine published an article on him in the May 1981 issue. With his strong business mind and very gentle Vaisnava heart, he never missed an opportunity to help any individual soul or project that needed his expert guidance and financial support. He strongly believed in helping anyone who sincerely expressed a desire to serve Krishna and fulfill Srila Prabhupada’s mission. In that mood he stepped forward to help and ensure financial stability when Back to Godhead in Mumbai began printing in 1995. Continue reading "In Glory of Sri Nathji Das
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The post ​Can’t laughter help us feel better? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

​Talk at Hotel El Panama, Panama

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​Talk at QLU-University of Louisville, Panama

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​Talk at UDELAS university, Panama

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​Talk at Ganexa University, Panama

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The post ​Discover your inner power – with Spanish translation appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

​Talk at San Miguel Arcangel School, Panama

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The post ​What dogs, birds and elephants teach us about our habits – with Spanish translation appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Beautiful Madan Mohan Temple (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: On the 3rd day of our Kartika parikrama in Vrindavan we visited the famous Madan Mohan Temple, established by Srila Sanatana Goswami on the bank of the sacred Yamuna river. Madhava and Bada Haridas’ rousing kirtans and Chaturatma prabhu’s enlightening discussions satisfied the hearts of all present!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/cxeSoT

Cow Dung Protects Phone Against …Radioactivity? (1 min video)
On a recent visit to the ISCOWP farm, HH Bhakti Raghava Swami, head of the Om Surabhi International Campaign, is putting cow dung on his phone after a discussion about the latest news of certain cell phones catching on fire.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/Sbg26d

Sankirtan Mela Day at ISKCON Rohini Delhi (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Krishna is not poor. Krishna has not come here...

The post Daily Darshan: October 19,2016 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

The Glories Of Damodara Masa
Such is the benefit of devotional service in general. However, during certain times of year–such as appearance anniversaries of Lord Krishna and His devotees–the benefits of one’s service are compounded. During the month of Damodar, or Karttika (October/November), rewards for service to Krishna are greater than at any other time of year. For instance, Krishna always likes tulasi leaves, so it’s always a good time to offer tulasi leaves to Krishna. However, in the Hari-bhakti-vilas of Sanatan Goswami, we find these statements: “The result one obtains by giving ten thousand cows in charity can be obtained by offering only one tulasi leaf to the Supreme Lord during the month of Karttika.” (7.335) and…“Those who worship Lord Hari with an offering of one hundred thousand tulasi leaves during the month of Kārttika certainly advance on the path of pure devotional service, which includes liberation, with each leaf offered. (7.336)”

On a recent visit to the ISCOWP farm, HH Bhakti Ragava Swami, head of the Om Surabhi International Campaign, is putting cow dung on his phone after a discussion about the latest news of certain cell phones catching on fire.

From the Times of India Mar 2011

TOI spoke to associate professor in physics department, KN Uttam, about the nuclear radiation and ways to prevent it. He said some traditional Indian practices can help in minimising the effects of Gamma rays, the most harmful rays emitted in nuclear radiation.

"Traditional methods like keeping onions in pockets and applying a layer of Cow Dung on the outside walls of houses absorb the harmful gamma rays," Uttam said. "Cow dung, in fact, can absorb all the three rays -- alpha, beta and gamma. Among these, alpha rays cannot penetrate the layers of cloths whereas beta falls after hitting the same but the Gamma rays penetrate the body tissue and is the most harmful," he added. If the outer walls of houses are coated with thick layers of cow dung, it will absorb the gamma rays and in turn people would be safe, said Uttam who has worked in the ministry of science and technology and MHRD.

The post Discussion with Radha-sundari dd of Sri Nathaji’s demise in Bhutan yesterday appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

To depict Krishna and his rasa-līlā as something totally unlike what we ourselves know of happiness and pleasure is suicidal, for it causes us to feel that Krishna is irrelevant to what we spontaneously, naturally, and powerfully want and need. The fact is that nothing could be farther from the truth. Krishna is called “Krishna” for a reason! Rāma. Govinda. Madan Mohan. Rasarāja. Gopi-vallabha. All these names are bursting with exactly the flavor and experience our heart and soul spontaneously, eternally crave. If we deny or ignore that, why should we be surprised that our bhajan lacks life and attentiveness?

Yes, something also needs to be said to explain that our concept of happiness and pleasure pales in comparison to the pleasure and happiness experienced in rāsa-līlā. This is fine! Say it loudly, for it is also inspiring and powerfully attractive to us, right now, and for real. And let us clearly explain that this difference arises because of a fundamental difference in the nature of our approach to pleasure (karma and kāma – “selfishness”) vs. Krishan’s approach to it (līlā and prema – “selflessness”). Stress this all you want, and then some, otherwise we will never attain that all-attractive rasa!

But please beware of depicting Krishna as utterly “transcendental” as if “transcendental” means having no similarities at all with what we already understand and have spontaneous emotional attachment to. Besides being philosophically inaccurate, it will prolong our spontaneous disinterest in Krishna and his bhajan.

Vraja Kishor das (www.vrajakishor.com)

Tagged: madhurya rasa, Rasa-Lila, Sexuality

Final shots from the amazing Harinamas we had in Mexico (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: If one repeats monotonous materi...

By Govinda Dasi

Srila Prabhupada sat in the front passenger seat, and we all sat in the back. Shyamsundar read Mondokini’s letter aloud, and when Srila Prabhupada heard that she was ready to depart for Russia and marry this young man, his joy knew no bounds! "While this letter was being read, I snapped two pictures of Prabhupada. He was smiling the biggest smile I had ever seen! He was so overjoyed to hear her reply! To him, this was the beginning of the conquest of the demonic atheism that had invaded the land of the rishis, Rishiya." Continue reading "Srila Prabhupada’s Concern For Russia
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Vrindavan Local Temples Darshan (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu recommended five items of devo...

By Sandamini devi dasi

On Saturday, October 15th, under a brilliant Karttika moon, sixty-plus devotees and VIP guests celebrated ISKCON’s 50th anniversary in the courtyard of Govinda’s Natural Foods Buffet. The setting couldn’t have been more fitting. For thirty years Govinda’s has served as the temple’s portal to Lord Krsna’s sublime food, music, wisdom, and dear devotees—a spiritual oasis in the Arizona desert—what everyone had come to celebrate. As a harpist stroked heavenly notes, devotees and guests feasted on Govinda’s prasadam, forging new friendships and renewing old ones, for one thing was clear: practically everyone had been here before, setting the stage for the tributes. Continue reading "Tuscon’s Iskcon 50 Gala
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